limiting factor

American  

noun

1. Physiology. the slowest, therefore rate-limiting, step in a process or reaction involving several steps.

2. Biology. an environmental factor that tends to limit population size.

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Example Sentences

"Our research shows that iron is a limiting factor in phytoplankton's ability to make oxygen in vast regions of the ocean."

From Science Daily

“The size of the Permian is such that this can’t be a limiting factor for the success of the whole basin,” said Scott Neal, director of growth and portfolio for Chevron’s shale and tight business.

From The Wall Street Journal

Relatively high mortgage rates have been a limiting factor for the housing market this year.

From Barron's

AI’s limiting factor is no longer algorithms or data — it’s the brute-force physics of data-center expansion.

From MarketWatch

Even if the reservoir had been full, the flow rate in the system’s pipes “would have been a limiting factor in maintaining pressure and the system would have been quickly overwhelmed” and hydrants would have lost pressure.

From Los Angeles Times